Monster Inside Me: Volume III (A Dark Mafia Romance Book 3) Page 3

  A ripple of weirdness flutters in my abdomen, but I push it aside and return her smile. “We do, but first, Anna. Grab your things and head to the shower. I promise I’ve got this. I’ll hang your dress on the bathroom door.”

  “Thank you, Dante.” With a grateful peck, she grabs her cheap-ass underwear and heads out the bedroom door.

  The first thing I do after she’s gone is to scan the room for any sign of an acceptable dress. I almost sigh in relief when I see a frilly floral print poking out from underneath the bed. I snag it up and hold it out for inspection. Though the material is cheap and not as soft as I’d like, it’s not wrinkled. I warily bring it to my nose, and surprisingly as fuck, it isn’t so bad. Grabbing an empty hanger for the dress and a pair of black heels from the closet, I move to the bathroom door.

  When I return to her room, I grab the largest suitcase in her closet and open it on the bed. I start collecting pictures, keepsakes, and anything—aside from clothes—that looks important to her. When I’m done there, I move out into the living room and do the same. By the time I have the suitcase filled, everything that matters to her is in the case—even some shit I should’ve trashed.

  I secure it tightly and hand it out to Cary. “Take this to the Hummer and wait there. We’ll be down soon.”

  I sit patiently on the sofa as the blow dryer hums from the bathroom. When the door opens, I stand and turn. Piper can make anything look fucking beautiful, even a cheap, shitty dress. A smile I’m not in control of curves my lips.

  Holding out my hands, I beckon her to me. “Fucking gorgeous as always.”

  She brushes her hands over the dress. “Are you sure this is okay?”

  I fight the urge to be truthful and instead lie through my goddamn teeth. “It’s a lovely dress. Perfect for the occasion, though I’m not sure this bag matches very well.”

  She giggles. “That’s my makeup bag. I just wanted to add it to my suitcase.”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry,” I say, acting apologetic, and I am—sort of. “I’ve already sent it down with Cary. Just bring it along.” I hold out my elbow, hoping to get her out of here before she realizes her shit is missing. “Shall we?”

  “Why, thank you, sir,” she says, and her smile is one I’m locking away to remember later.

  She’s going lose it when she realizes what the fuck I’ve done.

  THREE

  A LOSS YET TO HAPPEN

  As we pull into the drive at Anna and Joseph’s house, my eyes roll behind my lids, and I heave a fucking sigh. My goddamn mother’s car is in the drive parked right alongside my father’s. It makes me fucking cringe.

  So not what the fuck I need.

  As Sergio cuts the ignition, I say, “Cary, wave that thingamabob and tell me where those fuckers are located. There’s a couple of people here I’d like to avoid.”

  Piper’s large, dark eyes spear me with concern. “Who’s here?”

  “There are two bodies on the back part of the lower level and another two upstairs, almost directly above them,” he says, interrupting the conversation between Piper and me.

  My jaw clenches as I flick my eyes from hers to his. “You see the two of us talking?” I motion between my girl and me. “Never interrupt us again.”

  “Sorry, Boss, I didn’t realize …” He trails off as my eyes narrow and turns back toward the front, holding his little gadget up again.

  “Now,” I say, turning back to Piper and tilting my head toward the two extra cars in the drive. “The flashy Ferrari belongs to Pop; he likes to pretend he’s younger than he really is.” I pause and sigh. “And the fucking Tesla belongs to my mother; she likes to pretend she gives a fuck about the environment.”

  “Oh,” Piper says, her eyes not leaving my face as one side of her perfect mouth lifts into a half-smile. “And what do you like to pretend with all your fancy rides?”

  “Depends,” I say, giving her a smirk. “Some days, I pretend I’m the fastest motherfucker on the planet; others, I pretend I’m the richest motherfucker in the world.” I lean close, so fucking close my lips are skimming across hers as I speak. “But lately, it pretty much feels like I’m just the luckiest motherfucker to ever exist.”

  I don’t allow her to respond as I push my lips against hers and revel in that very same feeling of which I just spoke. She makes me feel alive, but it’s more than that. Being around her makes me feel like life is worth living. Like there’s something aside from the daily death and destruction I reap everywhere I go. Like I want to fucking live for reasons aside from my own selfish ones.

  She just makes me feel, and it’s fucking glorious.

  It isn’t until her hands find their way to my waist, to my buckle to be more precise, when I realize I’ve let things get too far. Toss aside the fact that we have an audience in the front seats—I dare them motherfuckers to look—and the fact we’re sitting in my dying aunt’s driveway, no. None of that is what draws us to a screeching halt.

  It’s the sudden lurch in my stomach that stops me cold. The not-so-subtle reminder that I’m fucked in the head, but on the plus side, this kiss went way further than any other since this little condition made itself known. Maybe I’m already improving.

  “Solare,” I say, my voice strained as I fight the sudden unease. “I …” I blow out a breath. “We need to talk … but first, let’s visit my aunt.”

  Piper, who’s panting as she awaits my words, gasps and starts looking around—remembering where we are, no doubt. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. What the fuck is wrong with me?” She swiftly glances between me and the two men in front of us who’re pretending we don’t exist.

  “Shhh,” I say, cupping her cheek. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. You’re perfect. We got carried away. That’s all, and it’s allowed. We can do what the fuck we want, where the fuck we want to do it. Got me?” I brush my thumb across her kiss-plumped lower lip as she nods. “Good. Now let’s do this.” I plant a swift peck on her pretty mouth and withdraw, pushing the door behind me open as I go. In no time at all, I’m around to her side and holding out my hand to assist her from the car. “You ready for this?” I ask as I hook her fingers around my elbow.

  She tilts her chin upward and cuts her determined eyes to mine. “Yes,” she says confidently. “I feel empowered with you by my side—like nothing can hurt me.”

  I tilt my head at her. “As you should.”

  Her breathtaking giggle floats across the air as I lead us up the steps and to the front door. Instead of ringing the bell, which will alert the entire fucking household of our arrival, I push open the door and poke my head inside, checking for the all clear. Seeing no one, I take Piper’s hand and pull her inside, where we rapidly move up the staircase.

  Once we reach the top, I stop and glance behind me to make sure we weren’t spotted. Again, seeing no one, I pull Piper to stand before me. “Sorry about that, but I think we’re safe,” I whisper.

  “Why are we whispering?” she asks, a cute little pucker forming between her brows.

  I glance at the stairway again. “I’m hoping we can avoid running into my mother.”

  “Seriously?” Piper tilts her head, giving me a wide-eyed stare. “Is there a particular reason we don’t want to see her?”

  I sigh. “We have a complicated relationship, and I’m not in the mood for her to try to lecture me.” I cup her jaw and look between her eyes. “Because if she sees you, this, she’s sure to start.”

  “Start …” she prompts, leaving her question hanging in the air between us.

  I look past her to the man standing in an open doorway farther down the hall. He’s quietly watching our every move. With a barely perceptible tilt of his head, he moves back into the room, and my gaze falls back to Piper. “If we make it out of here unscathed, I’ll give you the lowdown. If she does catch us, just ignore every fucking word that comes from her mouth.”

  She twines her arms around my shoulders and lifts onto her tiptoes so her lips can reach mine. Afte
r an all too brief kiss, she whispers, “She can’t scare me, Dante. No one can.”

  I pull her tight against me and, after a short but needed moment, release her with a sigh. “Anna is waiting.”

  She nods and takes my offered hand. With slow, even steps, I lead us toward my dying aunt. I hope like hell that the prospect of meeting Piper will be enough to overcome Anna’s pain, but as I step through the doorway, an all too familiar scent greets me.

  Death.

  The woman before me is only a wisp of the woman I’ve known my entire life. She’s propped against her pillows, her eyes closed, her hair thin and lifeless, her cheeks gaunt. Her loud breaths are the only sound in the room.

  A quiet gasp comes from beside me, and I turn my attention to Piper. Her eyes are moist, the visage of the frail woman before us affecting her deeply. I throw my arm across her shoulder and pull her into my side, offering a kiss to her temple as a feeble attempt to soothe her.

  “You brought her,” Anna says, her voice stronger than I expected.

  I tilt Piper’s chin upward and wipe the errant tears from her cheeks. “Someone is anxious to meet you,” I say, loudly enough for Anna to hear. “What do ya say?”

  She nods and offers me a faint smile. “I’d be honored.”

  With a deep breath, I return Piper’s attempt at a smile and take her hand, gently guiding her across the room to sit in one of two chairs that are already awaiting us. Joseph is seated in a wingback chair in the corner, silent and ever watchful.

  “Anna,” I say softly as I take the empty chair. “I’m sorry we took so long.”

  Her once shiny brown eyes open, and they’re empty, devoid of life. “I knew you’d come when you could.” She lifts her bony hand, beckoning toward Piper. “Come. Let me see you.”

  Piper glances at me briefly before slipping from her chair and shuffling across the carpet on her knees until she’s close enough to take Anna’s outstretched hand. The whole scene rips me to fucking shreds, ashamed I didn’t get my head out of my ass and make my aunt happy weeks ago.

  “Anna, this is Piper. She’s …” I pause, searching for the perfect fucking word to describe her. “Everything.”

  A spark ignites in Anna’s eyes as she glances at me and back to Piper, looking her over with renewed energy. “She’s quite the beauty, son.”

  “She’s fucking gorgeous,” I say, smiling like a fucking lovesick puppy seeking approval.

  “She’s right here,” Piper says, waving her free hand over herself.

  Anna lets out a giggle that has her gripping her stomach with a grimace after only a few seconds, but she breathes through it and cuts her eyes my way. “And a spitfire, too.” They soften as they go back to Piper. “You couldn’t be more perfect for him, dear.”

  Piper fights a smile as she glances my way. “I think it works both ways.”

  “Of course it does,” Anna responds, trying to sit up straighter. “A relationship is a partnership. It doesn’t matter how much love is there. If you can’t learn to compromise, it won’t work.” Her eyes cut to mine. “But you’re already realizing this, I take it?”

  I chuckle and shake my head. “It’s a work in progress, but if you’re asking me if I’m trying, the answer is yes.” I lean forward and brush Piper’s long, dark curls over her shoulder so I can see her face. “I realize I need her in my life, and the only way to keep her is to curb some of my less desirable traits.”

  “I don’t want you to not be who you are,” Piper says, her dark eyes serious as she focuses on me. “I just need you to understand that I run my life. If you need to curse, rant, rave, do it. I don’t mind. But in the end, you have to trust me to make my own decisions.”

  “As I said … compromise,” Anna says, interrupting, and I’m reminded exactly how I’ve already fucked up by moving Piper in without asking. “It’s a powerful tool, and those who master it are sure to live long, happy lives.” She stretches her hand over, willing me to take it. “Together. Long, happy lives together.”

  I get down beside Piper and take Anna’s fragile hand between my larger ones, afraid it’ll snap if I handle her too roughly, dropping my gaze to the floor. “I’ve already fucked up,” I mumble, the pristine white carpet beneath my knees suddenly fascinating.

  “I think I get to be the judge of that.” Piper’s voice is low as she reaches over and lifts my chin. “And so far, I’d say you’ve done all right. I am alive, after all.”

  Looking into her soft, caring eyes and knowing she has no idea the depth of my deception is painful, but the thought of her getting pissed and leaving me over it is even worse, so I do what needs to be done.

  I softly place Anna’s hand back on the bed, getting the stink-eye as I do so, and turn to Piper, cupping her nape. “You know who I am … in a sense, but there are parts of me you’ve yet to discover. I won’t fucking hide them from you. I can’t because then it’d make us a lie. I just need you to be patient. Let’s wipe the slate clean and start fresh tomorrow. I’ll tell you anything you want to know tonight. You ask; I answer.”

  “Anything,” she repeats, and it’s not a question. I can see inside her mind as the word tumbles around. I can also see her acceptance before she gives me her fucking answer. “Deal.”

  She throws her arms around my neck, and I pull her close, pushing aside the fact that I just tricked her into saying words I’ll have to throw back at her later when she’s slinging all her shit at me. It was a devious move, and I can live with it if it keeps her with me.

  Anna catches my gaze over Piper’s shoulder, and instead of her eyes burning me where I sit, she’s smiling softly. “Ahhh, young love,” she says wistfully, her eyes seeking her own lifelong partner.

  Her assessment ought to freak me the fuck out, but it doesn’t. Not at all. I’ve almost completely accepted the truth, yet a tiny doubt still lingers on the fringes of my fucked up mind. A small voice that, though it’s already embraced the idea of Piper, still whispers about all the ways it could go wrong.

  Joseph offers Anna a wink as he quietly moves to her side and takes her hand, bringing it to his lips. “If only Piper were as lucky as you, my dear,” he says with a smirk aimed my way. “Something tells me Dante isn’t quite as ready to accept love as I was. One glance, and I knew from that moment on I’d be by your side.”

  “And you have been,” she says, looking at him with their many years of love on full display. “But I’m not worried about Dante. Not anymore. Love changes a man. It makes him stronger, and I can already see it happening. My final wish has been granted. There’s nothing to keep me here anymore.”

  After our embrace, Piper had pulled back to cuddle into my side, both of us still on our fucking knees at Anna’s bedside. Now, hearing Anna’s heartbreaking confession, silent tears are streaming down Piper’s cheeks, and she buries her face in my shoulder as sobs wrack her frame.

  Joseph brushes aside a lifeless lock of Anna’s dull hair and presses the softest of kisses to her paper-thin lips. “I know, beautiful. You can rest now.”

  A surge of rage overcomes me, and I jump to a standing position, almost knocking Piper on her ass, but I can’t worry about that right now. “What the fuck, Joseph?” I demand, my voice thundering through the room. “How can you let her go so … so … so fucking easily? She needs to fight, goddammit!”

  Anna sighs and her eyes fall closed, but it’s Joseph who answers the accusation with mind-numbing reality. “I can let her go because I love her more than I love myself, Dante,” he says, his voice hard and direct. “Do you think I don’t want my wife to live? Because I fucking do, but she’s in pain. Terrible pain, and I’d never wish for her to endure it simply to pacify my selfish needs.”

  His words cut me into a million tiny pieces, and I drop to Anna’s side, fitting myself on the small space along the edge of the bed. “You can’t leave. Please,” I beg, tears welling in my eyes. “I’m not ready.”

  I bow my head as I’m fucking overwhelmed in a way unlike any I’ve
ever felt. Warm, wet tears track their way down my cheeks, and my shoulders shake under the strain of a loss that is yet to happen. Two hands rest on my shoulders as a soft voice murmurs in my ear, assuring me that I’ll make it through this. Assuring me that she’ll be with me every step of the way.

  “Shhh,” Anna soothes, placing her hand on my knee. “Dante, you knew this was coming, and look at you. It’s made me so happy to see this development.” Her eyes move to Piper and back to me so there’s no mistaking what she means. “You have all the tools to become exactly what you were meant to be.”

  I dry my unusually wet cheeks and scoot even closer to her, leaning down so she can see how much this pains me. “I understand. I don’t like it, but I love you and if you’re ready, then so am I.” Bending, I press my lips to her forehead, and when I pull back, she’s smiling peacefully.

  “Joseph, honey, do you think you and Piper could step outside for a minute? I’d like to speak with Dante privately.” She poses it as a question even though she knows he’d never say no.

  “Anna,” Joseph says, the two of them having a conversation with only their eyes. “I don’t think—”

  “I do,” she stresses sternly, her eyes falling closed and her once-smiling face pinching into a grimace.

  Joseph leaves his spot beside her and opens the nightstand on his side of the bed. “Will you at least let me give you some morphine first? I hate seeing you in pain, and you should have just enough time before it kicks in.”

  She lets out a small huff and shakes her head. “As soon as I’m done. Promise.”

  He bows his head for a brief second before tossing the syringe back into the drawer and tilting his head toward the door, his disappointed eyes on Piper. “Shall we?”

  “Of course,” she says, moving to stand beside me and addressing Anna herself. “It has been an honor to meet someone so obviously important to Dante. I’m only sorry it didn’t happen sooner.”

  Anna takes a deep breath and lets out a pain-filled, shuddering breath. “It was perfect timing, dear, and you’re perfect for him. He’s going to drive you absolutely bonkers, but please, stay, fight.” Her eyes trail to Joseph. “Perfect doesn’t mean all happy all the time. Pick your battles. Insist on winning but also know when to give in.”